Volleyball: GSU’s experience helped them outclass us, Chema’s Mukopi

Chema Volleyball Club head coach Jeremiah Mukopi says his team lacked the expertise to match General Service Unit (GSU) experience in Sunday’s loss during the Kipchumba Karori Tournament in Eldoret.

GSU made the light work of the Steelers, thumping them 3-1 in the final to deny them the first silverware of the season.

Chema served off the match on a high with their captain Levis Ogutu leading their charge with powerful blocks to stun GSU 25-22 in the first set.

GSU however reclaimed back their mojo to stun the Steelers 25-20, 25-22 and 25-17 to take home the crown.

It was the second match the Paramilitary side was edging them after stunning them in a similar fashion in the preliminary matches.

Mukopi admitted that GSU outwitted them in set plays and service and that gave them an edge.

“GSU were more experienced than us in the services and in terms of setting and that is where they beat us. We tried our best but they were simply better,” Mukopi told Citizen Digital.

The experienced tactician now says they have to work on their weaknesses if they are to outsmart the league’s defending champions when it resumes in February.

“We have taken vital lessons from GSU and we are going to work on our weaknesses and we will come back better. We have to look for a formula for beating them in our next meeting.”

Mukopi remains buoyant of winning the league even with the defending champions posing a real threat after thumping them twice in the Eldoret outing.

“There’s no cause for alarm. Our objective of clinching the league title in our first outing remains in place. We have already shown we can take on big teams and we will even get better,” said Mukopi.

Chema missed the services of their star attacker Matthew Ikori and setter Steve Otieno during the final.